Business Development Director I, Florida High Tech Corridor

ucf; Orlando (FL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Florida High Tech Corridor is seeking a strategic operator and innovation leader to guide Cenfluence's growth. The role reports as Deputy Program Director and oversees the operational infrastructure to connect technology companies with resources.

The ideal candidate has 8+ years in innovation-driven economic development or industry cluster management, with strong grant, budgeting, and stakeholder-relations skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree with 8+ years of relevant experience.
• Leadership experience of 3+ years is required.
• Experience in innovation-driven economic development is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Support development and implementation of services to grow industries and entrepreneurs under Cenfluence.
• Grant management and compliance: oversee budgeting, reporting, and PI/Co-PI engagements.
• Direct supervision of cluster managers and admin staff; oversee training and development.
• Engage with entrepreneurs; build relationships with member companies; communicate program updates.
• Manage Cenfluence database; ensure data security and KPI reporting.
• Oversee administrative systems and tools; seek process improvements.
• Represent the Corridor at events to grow industry clusters and partnerships.

Skills

Grant management

Stakeholder relations

Strategic partnerships

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Tools

Database systems

KPI reporting

Job description

Florida High Tech Corridor:

The Florida High Tech Corridor is more than an initiative or facilitator; it's a force multiplier. The 23-county region that defines The Corridor is anchored by three of the country's largest research institutions: the University of Central Florida (UCF), the University of South Florida (USF) and the University of Florida (UF). Our mission is to converge and catalyze the capacity of high tech, innovation, and bright minds to generate a global ripple effect that advances the lives of people in the communities we serve. Powered by an ethos of collaboration, we align opportunities and resources in academia, industry, and economic development to unleash our region's exponential potential.

The Opportunity :

The Florida High Tech Corridor is looking for a strategic operator, relationship builder, and innovation leader to help guide the continued growth of Cenfluence.

The Business Development Director I will serve as Deputy Program Director and lead the operational infrastructure behind an ambitious industry-development initiative.

You will oversee grant compliance, financial planning, administrative systems, staff performance, program reporting, and stakeholder engagement while helping technology companies and entrepreneurs access the relationships, resources, and opportunities they need to grow.

The ideal candidate brings experience in innovation-driven economic development, technology commercialization, entrepreneurial support, grants, or industry cluster management. They also bring the operational discipline, sound judgment, and collaborative leadership necessary to turn ideas and partnerships into sustainable results.

Responsibilities:

• Support the development and implementation of services and activities to develop industries and entrepreneurs, small, mid-size and enterprise-level businesses for Corridor programs, with a primary focus on the Cenfluence Industry Clustering Initiative.
• Grant Management and compliance: Provide program planning, implementation and support in executing the industry diversification strategy. Provide support in the identification, proposal efforts and execution of relevant funding opportunities that can lead to the growth of business support services. Oversee all aspects of grant administration, including financial tracking, reporting, and compliance with all funding requirements from granting orgs, such as budgeting, execution and fiscal accountability. This includes meeting all requirements of a Principal Investigator (PI) and/or Co-PI, and the requisite engagements and interactions with various appropriate university offices.
• Staff and team supervision: Directly supervise and provide project oversight for cluster managers and other administrative staff as directed, to ensure efficient and effective execution of all program deliverables. Manage and coordinate the ongoing training and development of cluster managers and admin staff, to ensure they have the skills and knowledge needed to effectively execute the requirements of the Cenfluence initiative.
• Engage with Entrepreneurs: Develop strong relationships and an understanding of key needs and opportunities for small and medium sized companies. Maintain regular communication with member companies regarding upcoming activities, program updates, meetings, and other necessary items as needed. Work with the Corridor leadership to understand, anticipate, and proactively address program needs .
• Database and information technology management: Manage and maintain the database system used for tracking cluster members, ensuring data security, integrity and generating key performance indicator (KPI) reports for the Cenfluence initiative, providing timely and accurate reports on program performance to stakeholders.
• Administrative systems and tools: Oversee all administrative systems, processes, and tools used by the initiative, identifying and implementing process improvements to increase efficiency.
• Stakeholder Relations, Outreach and Strategic Growth: Represent the Corridor and its programs (including Cenfluence, and others as directed) at local, regional, and national events to existing member companies, potential members, and relevant stakeholders, via the execution of in-person or virtual events, to build innovative businesses via industry clusters and other support to the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Develop and maintain positive relationships with all internal and external stakeholders, as directed, and to support the Cenfluence Strategic Growth Strategy. Work with the project marketing team to maintain public marketing efforts such as social media, website, emails, cluster annual reports and other forms of PR and marketing.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications :

Bachelor's or Master's degree and 8+ years of relevant experience, including 3+ years of leadership experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience pursuant to Fla. Stat. 112.219(6) .

Preferred Qualifications :

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